Written Answers Friday 18 January 2008

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to encourage the production of more fruit and vegetables.

Richard Lochhead: The fruit and vegetable sector has historically been relatively unsupported. The 2007 reform of the EU fruit and vegetable regime will give growers greater flexibility as land used to grow fruit and vegetables will, from 15 May 2008, support Single Farm Payment Scheme claims. The Scottish Government is also committed to encouraging retailers and consumers to source and eat fresh, seasonal produce and this should have a positive effect on Scottish fruit and vegetable production.

Alcohol Awareness

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to raise alcohol awareness in schools.

Maureen Watt: Through the concordat with COSLA we are moving to an outcomes-focused approach which empowers local authorities and gives councils flexibility to meet the Scottish Government’s national outcomes and the national indicators in support of those outcomes, including the national indicators on crime reduction and the national indicator to reduce alcohol-related hospital admissions by 2011.

  Effective substance misuse education is important in helping young people to become confident individuals so that they can make informed choices about positive lifestyles and avoid future alcohol misuse. The Curriculum for Excellence will include a series of learning outcomes and experiences for health and well being that will provide teachers with an opportunity to develop young people’s awareness of the risks to health associated with substance misuse. The Scottish Government is also actively working with key stakeholders to develop a programme of work to improve the effectiveness of substance misuse education in schools.

Antisocial Behaviour

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings to discuss antisocial behaviour are planned in local communities in 2008.

Fergus Ewing: A range of meetings in local communities will be held as part of the consultation on the review of the national antisocial behaviour strategies, including focus groups and public forums. Details, including dates and locations, have yet to be confirmed.

Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence has been provided by the Chief Scientific Adviser to ministers to justify the view that "the public doesn’t get good-quality information and decisions are being made based on prejudice about GM crops".

Michael Russell: Ministers have not asked for, nor been provided with, advice on GM crops from the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland, Professor Anne Glover.

Children’s Hearings System

Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards meeting the SNP manifesto commitment to introduce legislation to improve the Children’s Hearings system.

Fiona Hyslop: I am pleased to announce that Scottish ministers intend to bring together the existing bodies which make up Scotland’s distinctive Children’s Hearings system of care and justice into a single body. We intend to do this in a way which ensures that local delivery and the links with local communities, which are vital to the system, are fully maintained. This will ensure a stronger and more consistent national approach to the work of the Children’s Reporters service; to the delivery and administration of Children’s Hearings, and to the recruitment, training and support provided to the volunteer Panel members who make the local decisions at hearings. By incorporating all these functions into one body we can refocus on the individuals who deliver the Children’s Hearings system, rather than on the bodies of which they are members.

  Panel members will continue to be recruited from local communities, and will serve those local communities. Local authorities will continue to have a crucial role to play in ensuring that the system works effectively in their area.

  We plan to take the necessary steps, including bringing forward any legislative proposals, to give effect to this. In the meantime, we will work closely with COSLA and other key interests to develop the detail of the new approach.

Class Sizes

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that local authority planners build new schools of an adequate size to fit the appropriate, and future planned, population in their catchment areas.

Maureen Watt: Local authorities are under a statutory duty to ensure that they provide and maintain for their area sufficient school accommodation. It is therefore for them to decide how best to fulfil that duty and ensure that supply of school places meets envisaged and changing demand.

Class Sizes

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of primary 1 to primary 3 classes have 18 or fewer pupils, also broken down by year.

Adam Ingram: Information on individual class sizes from which the percentage of primary 1 to primary 3 classes with 18 or fewer pupils can be calculated is published on the internet. The latest information is from the 2006 census and can be found at:  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16412/PrimClassSizesSep06 .

Class Sizes

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of primary 1 to primary 3 classes have 25 or fewer pupils, also broken down by year.

Adam Ingram: The latest information available on the percentage of primary 1 to primary 3 with 25 or fewer pupils is set out in the Statistical Bulletin Pupils in Scotland 2006 and can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/167568/0046177.pdf .

Class Sizes

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have average class sizes of 20 or fewer for S1 maths.

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have average class sizes of 20 or fewer for S1 English.

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the local authorities whose schools do not meet average class sizes of 20 in maths and English in S1 and S2.

Maureen Watt: The information requested is set out in the Statistical Bulletin S1 and S2 Maths and English Classes, Children educated outwith School, Pupil Projections and Provisional Pupil Numbers, 2007 published on 20 November 2007 and can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/203749/0054340.pdf .

Class Sizes

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many primary 1 to primary 3 classes have 18 or more pupils, broken down by local authority.

Adam Ingram: Information on individual class sizes by school local authority is published on the internet. The latest information is from the 2006 census and can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16412/PrimClassSizesSep06 .

Class Sizes

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) inspectors have found a correlation between class sizes and pupil attainment.

Maureen Watt: Variations in class sizes in Scottish schools have been limited in range by national agreements on maximum class sizes. In that context, HMIE have not routinely collected evidence about class size when evaluating attainment.

Class Sizes

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated to local authorities in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08 to help them to achieve average class sizes of 20 in maths and English in S1 and S2.

Maureen Watt: The previous administration had a commitment to increase teacher numbers to 53,000 by 2007 and to reduce primary 1 classes to a maximum of 25 and S1 and S2 maths and English classes to a maximum of 20. Funding of £32.5 million was made available in 2006-07 and £50.3 million in 2007-08 to help achieve these commitments.

Class Sizes

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the first supplementary to question S3F-3 by Alex Salmond on 31 May 2007 ( Official Report , c. 317), whether it will list the "overwhelming international evidence" to which he referred in relation to class sizes in primary 1 to primary 3.

Adam Ingram: On 31 May 2007, the First Minister referred to the overwhelming evidence in relation to early intervention not simply the impact of class size reduction. There is a body of research evidence such as the student teacher attainment ration research in Tennessee and the class size and pupil ratio research in England that support class size reduction in the early years. With regard to pre-school education the Effective Provision of Pre-school Education project in England found high quality pre-school education enhances all round development in children. I would also refer the member to a literature review entitled Early Years Education: Perspectives from a review of the international literature in Scotland.

Courts

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in establishing pilot schemes on the appointment of court facilitators to help to increase contact with children in Scottish courts.

Fergus Ewing: Pilot projects to place a Family Contact Facilitator in two sheriff courts were developed and terms of reference agreed with sheriffs. Unfortunately, the procurement exercise did not attract a tender which met the specifications. It was therefore not possible to let the contract and proceed with the pilot.

Diabetes

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to ensure the early diagnosis of diabetes to assist in the management of the condition and help to reduce further health complications.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government fully supports the principle of early diagnosis of long-term conditions such as diabetes, in order to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of complications. The National Screening Committee (NSC) advises that we should screen groups who are at high-risk of type 2 diabetes, for example those who are seriously overweight, who have a family history of diabetes or who have symptoms such as sudden weight loss or extreme thirst. Further advice is needed from the NSC, however, on the most effective mechanism to screen for diabetes.

  Many of those at risk of developing diabetes can be identified as part of the care delivered by the general practice team, through the primary medical services contract. GP Practices are also incentivised through the Quality and Outcomes Framework of the GMS contract and the Scottish Enhanced Services Programme to support early diagnosis and appropriate management of patients with diabetes.

  The "Keep Well" pilots identify those in the most deprived communities in Scotland at particular risk of preventable, serious ill health. The focus is on cardiovascular disease and its main risk factors, including diabetes.

Diabetes

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the prevention strategy for diabetes.

Nicola Sturgeon: There are currently no effective therapies to prevent type 1 diabetes.

  Type 2 diabetes is associated with several factors, some of which are reversible and others, such as genetic associations, which cannot be influenced by lifestyle changes. Obesity is the single most important preventable predictor of type 2 diabetes, although smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet and excessive alcohol consumption are all associated with increased risk of diabetes.

  The Better Health Better Care Action Plan sets out the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackle the rising problem of obesity. Over the next three years we will be investing a further £14.7 million, in addition to increased spending on healthy eating and physical activity, to tackle obesity.

Doctors

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many doctors or locums were employed by NHS Scotland under contracted-out services on which VAT was paid in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: This Information is not held centrally and was provided by Information Services Division (ISD). The table below shows information on Hospital, Community and Public Health Services of the NHS and General Medical Services staff. The information is shown by NHS board as at 30 September in each of the last three years.

  2006

  

 Head Count at 30 September
 HCHS Medical Staff1,2
 HCHS Locums
 General Medical Service3,4


 Scotland
 10,500
 240
 4,637


 NHS Argyll and Clyde
 ..
 ..
 ..


 NHS Ayrshire and Arran
 524
 17
 312


 NHS Borders
 167
 4
 113


 NHS Dumfries and Galloway
 270
 4
 151


 NHS Fife
 476
 9
 270


 NHS Forth Valley
 420
 7
 241


 NHS Grampian
 1,192
 19
 539


 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 3,274
 50
 996


 NHS Highland
 411
 13
 389


 NHS Lanarkshire
 813
 45
 378


 NHS Lothian
 1,855
 28
 781


 NHS Orkney
 13
 29
 43


 NHS Shetland
 16
 ..
 29


 NHS Tayside
 978
 7
 356


 NHS Western Isles
 22
 7
 40


 Golden Jubilee
 23
 1
 ..


 National Services Scotland
 67
 1
 ..


 NHS 24
 ..
 ..
 ..


 Scottish Ambulance Service4
 ..
 ..
 ..


 State Hospital
 14
 ..
 ..


 Special Health Boards
 12
 ..
 ..


 NHS Education for Scotland
 8
 ..
 ..


 NHS Health Scotland
 2
 ..
 ..


 NHS Quality Improvement
 2
 ..
 ..



  2005

  

 Head Count at 30 September
 HCHS Medical Staff1,2
 HCHS Locums
 General Medical Service3,4


 Scotland
 10,212
 220
 4,579


 NHS Argyll and Clyde
 567
 13
 360


 NHS Ayrshire and Arran
 512
 8
 307


 NHS Borders
 149
 3
 109


 NHS Dumfries and Galloway
 259
 6
 150


 NHS Fife
 463
 10
 271


 NHS Forth Valley
 383
 10
 242


 NHS Grampian
 1,132
 16
 525


 NHS Greater Glasgow
 2,702
 53
 735


 NHS Highland
 373
 11
 280


 NHS Lanarkshire
 787
 45
 375


 NHS Lothian
 1,795
 15
 762


 NHS Orkney
 21
 4
 42


 NHS Shetland
 24
 ..
 30


 NHS Tayside
 960
 6
 350


 NHS Western Isles
 28
 8
 43


 Golden Jubilee
 22
 ..
 ..


 National Services Scotland
 66
 12
 ..


 NHS 24
 ..
 ..
 ..


 Scottish Ambulance Service4
 ..
 ..
 ..


 State Hospital
 9
 ..
 ..


 Special Health Boards
 10
 1
 ..


 NHS Education for Scotland
 5
 ..
 ..


 NHS Health Scotland
 3
 1
 ..


 NHS Quality Improvement
 2
 ..
 ..



  2004

  

 Head Count at 30 September
 HCHS Medical Staff1,2
 HCHS Locums
 General Medical Service3,4


 Scotland
 10,023
 209
 4,456


 NHS Argyll and Clyde
 634
 13
 356


 NHS Ayrshire and Arran
 511
 11
 298


 NHS Borders
 155
 ..
 107


 NHS Dumfries and Galloway
 254
 2
 143


 NHS Fife
 450
 8
 270


 NHS Forth Valley
 407
 8
 239


 NHS Grampian
 1,151
 20
 499


 NHS Greater Glasgow
 2,565
 38
 725


 NHS Highland
 345
 9
 280


 NHS Lanarkshire
 744
 46
 370


 NHS Lothian
 1,757
 37
 716


 NHS Orkney
 24
 1
 40


 NHS Shetland
 17
 1
 30


 NHS Tayside
 948
 8
 344


 NHS Western Isles
 26
 5
 41


 Golden Jubilee
 12
 ..
 ..


 National Services Scotland
 68
 ..
 ..


 NHS 24
 ..
 ..
 ..


 Scottish Ambulance Service4
 ..
 ..
 ..


 State Hospital
 10
 1
 ..


 Special Health Boards
 4
 2
 ..


 NHS Education for Scotland
 2
 ..
 ..


 NHS Health Scotland
 ..
 2
 ..


 NHS Quality Improvement
 2
 ..
 ..



  Source: MEDMAN and Practitioner Contractor Database (PCD), ISD Scotland.

  Ref. IR2007-03030.

  Notes:

  1. HCHS refers to the Hospital, Community and Public Health Services of the NHS.

  2. Includes consultants, medical directors, doctors in training and other medical staff.

  3. Excludes Performer Locums.

  An employee can work in more than one NHS board/region and is presented under each group but counted once in the total. This issue must be considered when using head count figures.

  The dissolution of NHS Argyll and Clyde took effect from 1 April 2006. From 2006, staff from NHS Argyll and Clyde transferred to NHS Highland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

  For further information on the statistics in this table, including information on how the data are collected and notes on interpretation, please see: http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/workforce-statistics.jsp?pContentID=2063&p_applic=CCC&p_service=Content.show&.

Drug Misuse

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the timeline will be for the establishment of a national drugs commission to develop and agree a long-term national strategy backed up by a more robust evidence base, as promised in the SNP manifesto.

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the remit of a national drugs commission to develop and agree a long-term national strategy backed up by a more robust evidence base, as promised in the SNP manifesto, will include consideration of alcohol as well as drugs.

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the remit of a national drugs commission to develop and agree a long-term national strategy backed up by a more robust evidence base, as promised in the SNP manifesto, will include consideration of Scotland’s record in dealing with the social impact of drugs and substance abuse.

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit will be of the commission, referred to in the SNP manifesto, to establish a national drugs commission to develop and agree a long-term national strategy backed up by a more robust evidence base.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is committed to developing a new National Drugs Strategy, which is informed by evidence and built, as far as possible, around consensus. As part of developing our strategy we will consider how best the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse, alcohol and drug action teams and other key stakeholders can assist in the implementation of a successful strategy. We will consider the potential role of a commission within that context.

Drug Misuse

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its targets are for the new drug treatment and testing orders model pilot in the Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority area and, if the pilot shows signs of early success, whether it will roll out the scheme across Scotland earlier than the proposed timescale.

Fergus Ewing: In relation to the issue of targets, I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7252 on 13 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: Questions & Answers Search .

  The Scottish Government will await the completion of the pilot in Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority before taking a decision on further roll-out of the scheme.

Education

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its concordat with COSLA will mean for individual school budgets.

Maureen Watt: The new concordat between the Scottish Government and local government provides total funding of £34.8 billion to local authorities 2008-11, an increase of 12.9% across the three year period. It will remove much of the ring-fencing which previously constrained local funding arrangements and will provide much greater financial freedom for local government, as well as significantly reducing related bureaucracy. We expect local authorities will apply these principles when allocating budgets to each school.

Education

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce a mechanism of local authority finance which will provide authorities with an incentive to maintain small rural schools.

Maureen Watt: Funding arrangements for local authorities over the next three years have been set out in the Local Government Settlement announced last month in the context of the concordat signed with COSLA on 14 November.

  The government has already signalled an intention to consult on introducing a legislative presumption against the closure of rural schools. A consultation paper containing specific proposal will be published this spring.

Education

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce any financial disincentives, as part of overall local authority funding, for any local authority that proposes to close small rural schools.

Maureen Watt: Funding arrangements for local authorities over the next three years have been set out in the Local Government Settlement announced last month in the context of the concordat signed with COSLA on 14 November.

  The government has already signalled an intention to consult on introducing a legislative presumption against the closure of rural schools. A consultation paper containing specific proposal will be published this spring.

Education

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are receiving additional support under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 as a result of bullying.

Maureen Watt: This information is not held centrally.

Education

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring is being carried out to ensure the effectiveness of support for children with additional needs who are being bullied.

Maureen Watt: Under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, education authorities must keep under consideration the additional support needs identified and the adequacy of support provided to meet those needs.

Education

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will target increasing the educational attainment of pupils in areas of multiple deprivation.

Maureen Watt: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7215 on 12 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Questions & Answers Search .

Education

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools in each local authority area deliver the xlerate with xl programme through the Prince’s Trust.

Maureen Watt: Our information from the Princes Trust Scotland is that, in 2007-08, the number of schools delivering Xlerate with xl clubs in each local authority is as follows:

  

 Local Authority
 No. of Schools


 Aberdeen 
 1


 Aberdeenshire 
 2


 Angus
 5


 Argyll and Bute
 6


 Dumfries and Galloway 
 2


 Dundee
 5


 East Ayrshire
 8


 East Dunbartonshire
 2


 East Lothian
 1


 East Renfrewshire
 3


 Edinburgh
 6


 Falkirk
 1


 Fife
 5


 Glasgow
 17


 Highland
 6


 Inverclyde
 4


 Midlothian
 2


 Moray
 2


 North Ayrshire
 4


 North Lanarkshire
 9


 Orkney
 1


 Perth and Kinross
 2


 Renfrewshire
 4


 Scottish Borders
 4


 Shetland Isles
 2


 South Ayrshire
 5


 South Lanarkshire
 3


 Stirling
 3


 West Dunbartonshire
 2


 West Lothian
 5


 Western Isles
1



  Note 1.There are currently no Xlerate with xl clubs in Clackmannanshire.

Education

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what total amount was allocated for additional support for learning in each year from 2003 to 2007 and what percentage of the budget for children and young people this represented.

Fiona Hyslop: Whilst local government had flexibility to allocate other resources to this area, the specific amounts allocated to local government for additional support for learning from 2003 to 2007 were as follows:

  2003-04: £0 million

  2004-05: £8 million

  2005-06: £9.5 million

  2006-07: £12.5 million.

  In addition, £3 million per annual was allocated to NHS boards in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

  Some spending on children and young people will have been subsumed within budgets that covered services to people of all ages - e.g. community health – and as such, it is not possible to identify the total budget for children and young people over this period. It is not therefore possible to present this as a percentage of the budget for children and young people.

Education

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what total amount is being allocated for additional support for learning in each year from 2007 to 2011 and what percentage of the budget for children and young people this represents.

Fiona Hyslop: Whilst local government had flexibility to allocate other resources to this area, the specific amount allocated to local government for additional support for learning in 2007-08 was £12.5 million.

  For future years, this funding will be included within the overall local government finance settlement. It will be the responsibility of each local authority, in conjunction with their community planning partners, to allocate the funding on the basis of their local needs and priorities - having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the agreed set of national outcomes, including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and the full terms of the concordat. Further details on these new arrangements can be found in the Scottish Budget Report and related concordat with local authorities. Copies of both documents are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 44076 and 44077 respectively).

Education

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what total amount was allocated for additional support needs in-service training in each year from 2003 to 2007 and what percentage of the budget for children and young people this represented.

Fiona Hyslop: Whilst local government had flexibility to allocate other resources to this area, the specific amounts allocated to local government for additional support needs in-service training from 2003 to 2007 were as follows:

  2003-04: £7.2 million

  2004-05: £7.2 million

  2005-06: £7.2 million

  2006-07: £7.2 million.

  Some spending on children and young people will have been subsumed within budgets that covered services to people of all ages - e.g. community health – and as such, it is not possible to identify the total budget for children and young people over this period. It is not therefore possible to present this as a percentage of the budget for children and young people.

Education

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what total amount is being allocated for additional support needs in-service training in each year from 2007 to 2011 and what percentage of the budget for children and young people this represents.

Fiona Hyslop: Whilst local government had flexibility to allocate other resources to this area, the specific amount allocated to local government for additional support needs in-service training in 2007-08 was £7.2 million.

  For future years, this funding will be included within the overall local government finance settlement. It will be the responsibility of each local authority, in conjunction with their community planning partners, to allocate the funding on the basis of their local needs and priorities – having first fulfilled its statutory obligations and the agreed set of national outcomes, including the Scottish Government’s key strategic objectives and the full terms of the concordat. Further details on these new arrangements can be found in the Scottish Budget Report and related concordat with local authorities. Copies of both documents are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 44076 and 44077 respectively).

Environment

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made since May 2007 in dealing with the sewerage odour nuisance from the Seafield sewage works in Edinburgh.

Michael Russell: Good progress has been made. Scottish Water and Stirling Water (the PFI company responsible for the operations at Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works) are complying with the Statutory Code of Practice, as determined by the regulators, the City of Edinburgh Council.

  The prerequisite odour management plan is in place. An odour improvement plan was submitted at the end of March 2007 and is in the final stages of review by the City of Edinburgh Council. The outcome of this review will determine the capital work programme for odour minimisation to ensure future compliance with the Statutory Code of Practice.

Environment

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what the process is for the notification or consent in respect of offshore seismic surveys, including related requirements to adopt environmental mitigation measures.

Richard Lochhead: Responsibility for consenting to applications to undertake offshore seismic surveys, rests with the Secretary of State. Applications are made using Petroleum Operations Notice No. 14A and appropriate guidance is available on the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform website at http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/regulation/pons/index.htm .

Environment

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Appropriate Assessment with regard to the 24th Oil and Gas Licensing Round Block 17/3 (Inner Moray Firth) complies with the EU habitats directive and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 as amended.

Richard Lochhead: The regulation of oil and gas exploration is a function reserved to the Secretary of State.

  The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) have advised that it has carried out the draft Appropriate Assessment for Block 17/3 (Inner Moray Firth) in accordance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC), the Wild Birds Directive (Directive 79/409/EEC), and the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 (as amended).

  A public consultation on the draft Appropriate Assessment is being held until 14 March 2008.

  Scottish Natural Heritage is considering BERRs draft appropriate assessment.

Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has undertaken on establishing pilot schemes for the appointment of court facilitators, as promised as part of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006.

Fergus Ewing: The proposed pilot projects were to run in two sheriff courts and therefore agreement was reached with relevant sheriffs on the terms of reference. Voluntary sector bodies - Scottish Women’s Aid, Families Need Fathers and Children 1st - were given the opportunity to comment before the procurement process began.

Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has done to establish the number of cases under the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 where contact with a parent has been agreed but not implemented.

Fergus Ewing: These figures are not available centrally. However, the Scottish Court Service (SCS) is working with Justice Analytical Services to improve the accuracy and level of detail of the civil judicial statistics it collects, and as part of this work SCS has recently begun recording more information about craves in actions raised. This will enable researchers to identify all court actions initiated in 2008 onwards in which child contact is craved by the pursuer, and therefore which records to access for further information.

First Minister

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total production costs were of the First Minister’s (a) Christmas message and (b) New Year message.

John Swinney: The Christmas message and the New Year message were produced by the Scottish Government’s Video Production Unit in conjunction with the Communications Directorate’s Website Team as part of their normal duties. There was no separate budget allocation.

Fisheries

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the economic value of sea angling.

Richard Lochhead: There is currently a lack of objective data about the scale, character and economic impact of recreational sea angling in Scotland. The Scottish Government has commissioned Glasgow Caledonian University to undertake a study to look at these things. We expect the study to report later this year.

Fisheries

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop a strategy for recreational sea angling.

Michael Russell: Any strategy for Scottish recreational sea angling should have as its starting point objective data about the scale, character and economic impact of the sport. The Scottish Government has commissioned Glasgow Caledonian University to undertake a study to look at these issues. We expect the study to report later this year.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive which organisation or organisations will be involved in the group which will undertake the development of the Scottish Scallop Management Strategy.

Richard Lochhead: Work on the Scottish Scallop Management Strategy is at an early stage and will proceed as part of the work taken forward by the Scottish Fisheries Council. My officials are currently discussing the membership of the group which will steer the development of the strategy. It is envisaged that the group will represent a wide range of sectoral interests reflecting industry structure, geographical distribution of interests and the need to take into account scientific and technical expertise as well as economic and sustainability issues.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive which individuals and bodies will be consulted during the development of the planned Scottish Scallop Management Strategy.

Richard Lochhead: Work on the Scottish Scallop Management Strategy is at an early stage and will proceed as part of the work taken forward by the Scottish Fisheries Council. It is envisaged that the steering group will engage with the full range of sectoral and other relevant stakeholder interests as it takes matters forward. Formal consultation requirements can only be determined once the strategy is developed.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the detailed remit of the group which will undertake the development of the Scottish Scallop Management Strategy.

Richard Lochhead: Work on a crab and lobster strategy is at an early stage. My officials are currently discussing with stakeholders the membership of a steering group to lead the development of the strategy. It is envisaged that the steering group will represent a wide range of sectoral interests reflecting industry structure, geographical distribution of interests and the need to take into account scientific and technical expertise as well as economic and sustainability issues.

  Amongst other things I expect the strategy will look at stocks marketing regulations including technical conservation, the wider marine environment and how best to develop a high quality product that can maximise the return from the catch. The strategy will be guided throughout by our overarching aims of ensuring a sustainable, profitable fishing industry that supports strong and vibrant fishing communities.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the programme for the work of the group which will undertake the development of the Scottish Scallop Management Strategy, showing when the group will consult outside bodies and when it will submit recommendations to ministers.

Richard Lochhead: Work on the strategy is at an early stage and will be taken forward as part of the work of the Scottish Fisheries Council. My officials are currently discussing membership of the group that will steer the strategy development process. As part of that process the group will be expected to engage with the wider sector. The group will report to the Scottish Fisheries Council which I chair. Formal consultation arrangements can only be confirmed once the strategy is determined.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to announce the membership of the group which is to take forward a crab and lobster strategy for Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: Work on a crab and lobster strategy is at an early stage. My officials are currently discussing with stakeholders the membership of a steering group to lead the development of the strategy. It is envisaged that the steering group will represent a wide range of sectoral interests reflecting industry structure, geographical distribution of interests and the need to take into account scientific and technical expertise as well as economic and sustainability issues.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the programme for the work of the group which will take forward a crab and lobster strategy for Scotland, showing when the group will consult outside bodies and when it will submit recommendations to ministers.

Richard Lochhead: Work on a crab and lobster strategy is at an early stage. My officials are currently discussing with stakeholders the membership for the steering group to lead development of the strategy. Shortly after its inception, the steering group will outline its programme of work, indicating amongst other things how it intends to engage with the sector in general. Formal consultation requirements can only be determined once the strategy is developed.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive which individuals and bodies will be consulted by the group which is to take forward a crab and lobster strategy for Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: Work on a crab and lobster strategy is at an early stage and will proceed as part of the work taken forward by the Scottish Fisheries Council. My officials are currently discussing with stakeholders the membership for the steering group to lead development of the strategy. It is envisaged that the steering group will engage with the full range of sectoral and other relevant stakeholder interests to take matters forward. Formal consultation requirements can only be determined once the strategy is developed.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the detailed remit of the group which will take forward a crab and lobster strategy for Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: The crab and lobster strategy is at an early stage and my officials are currently discussing the membership of a steering group to lead the development of the strategy. Amongst other things, I expect the strategy will look at stocks, marketing, regulation, the wider marine environment and how best to develop a high quality product that can maximise the return from catch. The strategy will be guided throughout by our overarching aims of ensuring a sustainable, profitable fishing industry that supports strong and vibrant fishing communities.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the European Fisheries Fund will be opened to applications from Scottish businesses and when the first payments will be made to successful applicants.

Richard Lochhead: The European Fisheries Fund will open to applications once the UK Government has submitted, and the EC approved, the UK Operational Programme. It is anticipated that the programme will be operational towards the end of 2008. Subsequent grant payments will be dependent on businesses incurring approved project expenditure and submitting eligible claims to the Scottish Government.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be used when assessing applications to the European Fisheries Fund.

Richard Lochhead: The criteria for assessing applications will be finalised following full public consultation on the European Fisheries Fund Operational Programme. It is anticipated that assessment in Scotland will remain along similar lines to that employed under the successful predecessor Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance programme.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding from the European Fisheries Fund will be available to Scottish businesses in each year from 2007-08 to 2012-13 and how such funding will be shared between the highlands and islands and the rest of Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: Approximately €17.62 million will be available to the Scottish Highlands and Islands area, with the rest of Scotland allocated approximately €37.52 million during the European Fisheries Fund programming period. Annual allocations will be subject to industry input to the forthcoming public consultation on the draft UK Operational Plan.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used, or will be used, when determining the distribution of funding from the European Fisheries Fund between the highlands and islands and the rest of Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: The allocation of European Fisheries Fund resources between the convergence area of the Highlands and Islands and the non-convergence area of the rest of Scotland was determined, at the member state level, by the European Commission. The UK’s convergence and separate non-convergence allocations were then split by agreement between all four UK administrations, largely based on historic allocation and expenditure patterns of the predecessor fund the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the fisheries and aquaculture sectors that will be able to apply for grants from the European Fisheries Fund, showing the specific share allocated to each sector.

Richard Lochhead: Eligible applicants under the European Fisheries Fund will include all individuals, companies, trade and public bodies that have a direct interest in commercial fisheries. Sectoral allocations will be subject to industry input to the forthcoming public consultation on the proposed UK Operational Programme and accompanying arrangements for delivery of the programme in Scotland.

Flood Prevention

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it consulted the insurance industry before changing its policy on the funding of flood and coastal protection.

Michael Russell: No. As part of the concordat with local government, we are freeing local government to succeed, removing ring fencing and enabling councils to allocate resources according to local priorities and in line with a new performance framework.

Flood Prevention

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications of its changed policy on funding for flood and coastal protection will be for the prospects for insurance of business and domestic properties.

Michael Russell: Insurance of property is related to the degree of flood risk, not funding policy - but the 41% increase on the provision available to councils as grant support over the last spending review period, will help them to better manage flood risk in their areas.

Flood Prevention

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has specified how often the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) should update its maps of coastal flood risk areas and whether it has invited SEPA to consider the effect of potential tidal surges and climate change scenarios in its flood mapping.

Michael Russell: It is a matter for SEPA to determine when the maps should be updated in light of any new information on flood risk. We shall be consulting on our proposals shortly for a Flooding Bill which will include proposals to meet the requirements of the Floods Directive. The Floods Directive requires consideration of present and future flood risk when mapping and in the preparation of catchment flood management plans.

Flood Prevention

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-7605 by Michael Russell on 21 December 2007, what the reasons are for differences by way of omissions between the answer and the schemes contained in List B attached to a letter of 5 December 2007 from the Director General Environment to the Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Environment Committee in respect of Argyll and Bute, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Highland, Moray, North Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

Michael Russell: The Rural Affairs and Environment Committee were provided with a list of all schemes including those under construction or ready for construction.

  The answer to question S3W-7605 provided the information we had on costings and timescales of schemes which were not under construction or ready for construction requested by Ms Boyack in her question. However, we did not hold such information on Perth and Kinross’s proposed scheme at Almondbank.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Questions & Answers Search.

Flood Prevention

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the budget line for flood and coast protection held centrally in the current year, and which remained unallocated for the spending review period, formed part of the grants rolled up and distributed to local authorities as part of the recently announced funding settlement for local government.

Michael Russell: No.

Forestry

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that forestry interests, including the interests of private forest owners, are properly represented on regional project assessment committees.

Michael Russell: For all 11 Regional Proposal Assessment Committee areas there is an on-going process of consultation on the development of the list of Regional Priorities involving the full range of stakeholder interests represented in rural Scotland. Representatives covering forestry interests are engaged in this process. Regional Priorities are being derived from existing priorities contained in a wide range of strategies relating to rural Scotland including the Scottish Forestry Strategy. Once completed, these Regional Priorities will be used, by Regional Proposal Assessment Committees, which includes Forestry Commission Scotland in the assessment of proposals for funding. The process of updating and refining Regional Priorities will continue throughout the Scottish Rural Development Plan funding period.

Foster Care and Adoption

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the criteria will be for a person to be eligible for receipt of the kinship care allowance.

Adam Ingram: A kinship carer of a looked after child and approved by the local authority will be eligible for receipt of an allowance equivalent to the rate paid by the local authority to its foster carers.

Health and Safety

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for health and safety breaches there were in the courts in each of the last five years.

Fergus Ewing: The available information is given in the following table.

  Persons Proceeded Against for Offences Related to Health and Safety at Work Acts1

  

 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 137
 120
 132
 92
 56



  Note: 1.Where main offence.

Health and Safety

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions for breaches of health and safety legislation in the last five years failed in court.

Fergus Ewing: The available information is given in the following table.

  Persons with a Charge not Proved1 for Offences Related Health and Safety at Work Acts2

  

 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 18
 18
 14
 8
 7



  Notes:

  1. Includes findings of acquitted not guilty, acquitted not proven, pleas of not guilty accepted, or where cases were deserted or dropped after a person has been called to court.

  2. Where main offence.

Justice

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects that an intensive support and monitoring service will be available in every local authority area.

Fergus Ewing: We propose to revise the regulations Intensive Support and Monitoring (Scotland) Regulations 2006 to allow all local authorities to use Movement Restriction Conditions with an electronic tag through the Children’s Hearings system for young people under 16-year-olds from April 2008.

  Where and when a Movement Restriction Condition with an electronic tag is to be used, the appropriate support must be in place to support the young person, in line with regulations. In many cases it is the view of many of those working with youngsters that it is the intensive support that is the cause of changed behaviour.

  To be eligible for a Movement Restriction Condition, young people will still have to meet the conditions set out in section 70 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, the same criteria that must be met for a young person to be authorised for secure accommodation. In effect, a Movement Restriction Condition would only be used where other interventions have not succeeded.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of restoring vandalised public sector property in Grampian during (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05, (c) 2005-06, (d) 2006-07 and (e) 2007-08.

Fergus Ewing: We do not maintain information permitting a full answer to this question. We have no information relating to buildings other than Scottish Government buildings and no records are kept which would enable us to readily discriminate any historical costs related to vandalism from other maintenance costs for Scottish Government buildings.

  However, officials are unaware of any substantial items of expenditure in the period to restore vandalised core Scottish Government buildings in Grampian.

Local Government Concordat

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available through its concordat with COSLA to secure South Lanarkshire Council’s school building programme.

Maureen Watt: Under the terms of the concordat signed with COSLA on 14 November, almost £3 billion of capital resources will be available to authorities over three years to secure investment in schools and other infrastructure, for deployment according to authorities’ own priorities. Allocations of these resources were set out in Annex I of Finance Circular 6/2007 , which can be found on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/11203 .

Local Government Finance

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding each local authority has received each year from Determined to Succeed since the inception of the programme.

Maureen Watt: The information requested is as follows:

  

 Local Authority
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 Aberdeen City
 428,332
 298,245
 298,245
 567,271
 574,404


 Aberdeenshire
 0
 596,229
 1,305,818
 1,052,226
 1,065,456


 Angus
 0
 246,161
 539,122
 434,848.50
 440,316


 Argyll and Bute
 288,083
 200,590
 200,590
 381,163.5
 385,956


 Clackmannanshire
 0
 95,689
 209,571
 168,213
 170,328


 Dumfries and Galloway
 0
 366,344
 802,338
 646,009.5
 654,132


 Dundee City
 334,772
 233,101
 233,101
 443,796
 449,376


 East Ayrshire
 329,025
 229,098
 229,098
 434,848.5
 440,316


 East Dunbartonshire
 0
 235,685
 516,181
 416,953.5
 422,196


 East Lothian
 0
 188,399
 412,617
 332,847
 337,032


 East Renfrewshire
 269,919
 187,942
 187,942
 357,900
 362,400


 Edinburgh City
 0
 625,481
 1,369,881
 1,104,121.5
 1,118,004


 Eilean Siar
 109,481
 76,230
 76,230
 144,949.5
 146,772


 Falkirk
 0
 265,043
 580,475
 467,059.5
 472,932


 Fife
 0
 692,089
 1,515,760
 1,222,228.5
 1,237,596


 Glasgow City
 1,257,806
 875,805
 875,805
 1,666,024.5
 1,686,972


 Highland
 731,358
 509,240
 509,240
 968,119.5
 980,292


 Inverclyde
 0
 154,444
 338,251
 272,004
 275,424


 Midlothian
 0
 168,932
 369,982
 298,846.5
 302,604


 Moray
 0
 203,249
 445,141
 359,689.5
 364,212


 North Ayrshire
 0
 280,238
 613,754
 493,902
 500,112


 North Lanarkshire
 866,525
 603,357
 603,357
 1,147,069.5
 1,161,492


 Orkney
 0
 59,869
 131,122
 105,580.5
 106,908


 Perth and Kinross
 0
 291,245
 637,864
 513,586.5
 520,044


 Renfrewshire
 0
 330,720
 724,316
 583,377
 590,712


 Scottish Borders
 0
 255,307
 559,152
 450,954
 456,624


 Shetland
 0
 72,177
 158,077
 127,054.5
 128,652


 South Ayrshire
 0
 223,630
 489,776
 395,479.5
 400,452


 South Lanarkshire
 0
 607,359
 1,330,192
 1,071,910.5
 1,085,388


 Stirling
 253,217
 176,314
 176,314
 334,636.5
 338,844


 West Dunbartonshire
 0
 181,006
 396,424
 320,320.5
 324,348


 West Lothian
 0
 334,322
 732,206
 590,535
 597,960



  Notes:

  1. In financial year 2003-04 only 10 "pathfinder" local authorities were allocated funding.

  2. In addition to local authorities, Jordanhill School has also been allocated funding to deliver Determined to Succeed from 2004 -08.

  Amounts are in pounds Sterling.

NHS Finance

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to HM Revenue and Customs to ensure that the memorandum of understanding, issued by the Department of Health, which stated that, provided certain conditions were met, any charges between universities and NHS bodies would be outside the scope of VAT, is fully applicable in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: I can confirm that discussions have taken place between the relevant parties in Scotland and that it has been agreed that the same Memorandum of Understanding which has already been agreed in England will also be adopted in Scotland. This will ensure that the supply of teaching and research staff employed by Universities to the NHS for patient care is outside the scope of VAT by treating such arrangements as joint employment between the university and NHS bodies involved. No VAT is in practice being paid in Scotland in these situations, pending agreement of the Memorandum of Understanding.

National Conversation

John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it has received to Choosing Scotland’s Future: A National Conversation that have not been web-based or sent by email.

Nicola Sturgeon: The website has been the main focus of responses to the national conversation during its first phase, where the government’s aim was to move from polarised debate to mature dialogue, and to start to engage the public, media and academics in the debate, as well as politicians.

  Therefore, the majority of responses received by the government to date have been via the website, which has proved to be one of the most successful ever operated by government in the UK. However, the government has directly received over 100 pieces of correspondence from individuals and organisations, about half of which have been by letter. Exact numbers of letters received are not available, due to the processes involved, which do not allow us to easily distinguish between the numbers of letters and emails received in this way. Officials are also in discussions with a variety of organisations with regard to their contribution to the debate, and how we may best ensure that everyone who has a contribution to make to the conversation has the opportunity to have their voice heard. This broadening of public engagement will be a key theme of the second phase of the conversation.

  I am aware that on 11 December, in giving evidence to the Europe and External Affairs Committee, I informed the committee that 400 letters had been received in response to the conversation. This was an unintentional misreading of the figures – 400 was the total amount of correspondence received (including ministerial correspondence, letters, emails, and "join-in" emails from the website).

Radioactive Waste

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will pay for near-surface, near-site storage facilities for higher activity radioactive waste.

Richard Lochhead: Funding for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities is the responsibility of the site operators and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) for the UK’s civil public sector nuclear liabilities. Scottish Government officials have been in discussion with representatives from the NDA and others about the development and implementation of our policy for the long term storage of higher activity radioactive waste.

Radioactive Waste

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost to provide near-surface, near-site storage facilities for higher activity radioactive waste.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government officials have held discussions with representatives from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority about estimating the costs involved in the long term storage of higher activity radioactive waste. The work on this matter is on-going. They and we are not yet in a position to provide detailed costings.

  Funding for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities is the responsibility of the site operators and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) for the UK’s civil public sector nuclear liabilities.

Radioactive Waste

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when current contracts for the storage of radioactive waste and reprocessing of spent fuel from Hunterston B and Torness power stations will end.

Richard Lochhead: The issue of radioactive waste and spent fuel contracts for Hunterston B and Torness is a commercial matter for British Energy.

Radioactive Waste

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to implement the policy of onsite surface storage of radioactive waste.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government’s policy for higher activity waste in Scotland was announced and took effect on 25 June 2007 and supports long-term near surface, near site storage facilities. We have been working on the implementation of this policy in conjunction with the Regulators, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and other stakeholders.

Radioactive Waste

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with British Energy regarding the implementation of the policy of onsite surface storage of radioactive waste.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government officials met with representatives from British Energy – at their request – on 16 November, 2007 to discuss the implementation of the policy for the long term storage of higher activity waste in near surface, near site facilities. British Energy representatives also attended a meeting of representatives from civil nuclear sites in Scotland set up and chaired by officials of the Scottish Government to discuss policy issues relating to nuclear waste. This meeting involved individuals from a range of stakeholder organisations.

Radioactive Waste

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration is being given by NHS Scotland to the implementation of the policy of onsite surface storage of radioactive waste.

Richard Lochhead: The vast majority of radioactive waste produced by hospitals is low level and is disposed of. For this reason NHS Scotland has not been asked to consider implementing a policy of onsite storage of radioactive waste.

Radioactive Waste

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the higher and further education sector with a view to implementation of the policy of onsite surface storage of radioactive waste.

Richard Lochhead: The vast majority of radioactive waste produced by hospitals is low level and is disposed of. For this reason NHS Scotland has not been asked to consider implementing a policy of onsite storage of radioactive waste.

Radioactive Waste

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Hunterston B power station to begin to store (a) low, (b) medium and (c) high-level radioactive waste on site.

Richard Lochhead: Existing disposal routes are available at present for low-level waste and we would expect British Energy to utilise these. The requirement for storing intermediate level waste on site is a long standing one which pre-dates the Scottish Government’s decision that near-surface, near-site long term storage should be the management option for this waste. The 2004 UK Radioactive Waste Inventory indicates that there is no high-level waste at Hunterston B.

Radioactive Waste

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Torness power station to begin to store (a) low, (b) medium and (c) high-level radioactive waste on site.

Richard Lochhead: Existing disposal routes are available at present for low-level waste and we would expect British Energy to utilise these. The requirement for storing intermediate level waste on site is a long standing one which pre-dates the Scottish Government’s decision that near-surface, near-site long-term storage should be the management option for this waste. The 2004 UK Radioactive Waste Inventory indicates that there is no high level waste at Torness.

Radioactive Waste

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects NHS facilities to begin to store (a) low, (b) medium and (c) high-level radioactive waste on site.

Richard Lochhead: We do not expect NHS facilities to store radioactive waste on site. Our policy for the long-term storage of higher activity radioactive waste applies to the nuclear sector. The vast majority of radioactive waste produced by the NHS is disposed of through commercial contracts and will be unaffected by our policy to support long-term storage of higher activity nuclear waste.

Radioactive Waste

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects higher and further education facilities in Scotland to begin to store (a) low, (b) medium and (c) high-level radioactive waste on site.

Richard Lochhead: We do not expect higher and further education facilities to store radioactive waste on site. Our policy for the long-term storage of higher activity radioactive waste applies to the nuclear sector. The vast majority of radioactive waste produced by the education sector is disposed of through commercial contracts and will be unaffected by our policy to support long-term storage of higher activity nuclear waste.

Schools

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6763 by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007, how much of the (a) £3 billion for investment in infrastructure and (b) £115 million to be invested in schools has been allocated to East Ayrshire Council.

Maureen Watt: Allocations of capital resources referred to in the answer to question S3W-6763 are set out in Annex I of Finance Circular 6/2007, which can be found on the Scottish Government website at  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/11203 .

  The £115 million increase in capital funding available to local authorities in 2008-09 which is included within the total of £975 million for that year is not the subject of a separate allocation. Authorities can deploy this funding increase on schools, or other infrastructure, according to their local priorities.

Schools

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6763 by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007, how much of the (a) £3 billion for investment in infrastructure and (b) £115 million to be invested in schools has been allocated to South Ayrshire Council.

Maureen Watt: Allocations of capital resources referred to in the answer to question S3W-6763 are set out in Annex I of Finance Circular 6/2007, which can be found on the Scottish Government website at  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/11203 .

  The £115 million increase in capital funding available to local authorities in 2008-09 which is included within the total of £975 million for that year is not the subject of a separate allocation. Authorities can deploy this funding increase on schools, or other infrastructure, according to their local priorities.

Schools

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-6763 by Maureen Watt on 5 December 2007, what other sources of funding are available in order to allow local authorities to maximise their capital investment in schools.

Maureen Watt: Other sources of funding that authorities might access to contribute to a schools capital investment programme will vary according to local circumstances. However, they could include, for example, contributions from developers, capital receipts from the disposal of assets, or extra monies raised through self-financed borrowing.

Scottish Enterprise

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-5533 by Jim Mather on 12 November 2007, whether it will list the dates of the meetings and events about the enterprise networks referred to in the answer, also showing all the attendees at each.

Jim Mather: The information requested is given in Formal meetings and events held between either the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, or officials, during which the reform of the Enterprise Networks formed a substantive item of discussion, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 44449). In addition to these formal meetings, officials held frequent discussions with enterprise networks’ staff during the development of the reform proposals and it is not possible to provide a complete list of such meetings.

Scottish Government Finance

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much finance arising from departments under the control of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment is held in the Central Contingency Fund and from which departmental underspends this finance comes.

Richard Lochhead: As I indicated in my answer to question S3W-1357, answered on 23 July 2007, the Environment and Rural Affairs Department generated underspends in 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 of £39 million, £46 million and £54 million respectively. Of this £36 million and £9 million was returned to the Department as End Year Flexibility. Scottish Government central contingency funds held at HM Treasury are not under the control of individual Cabinet Secretaries but of Scottish ministers collectively. There will be no central contingency fund for the next three three years as all funds held centrally have been allocated as part of the next Spending Review.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Questions & Answers Search.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to assess the operation and effectiveness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Michael Russell: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is supporting a programme of research to monitor the operation and effectiveness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. In addition, a recent review undertaken by external consultants to consider the effectiveness of current promotion and education programmes concluded that the significant multi channel campaign delivered by SNH had succeeded in raising awareness and improved understanding of the code.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to concerns that land reform legislation and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code are not clear enough in providing guidance to members of the public about their access rights in fields occupied by livestock and specifically about the dangers that might be faced when accessing fields occupied by livestock.

Michael Russell: I am satisfied that existing guidance on this matter is satisfactory and proportionate. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides guidance on access to areas occupied by livestock and was developed in conjunction with land management bodies and the Health and Safety Executive. The National Access Forum which considers national issues relating to access rights, recently discussed access with dogs in areas with cattle in extensive open grazings. The Health and Safety Executive has also produced an Information Sheet on the topic of cattle and public access aimed at farmers including advice on sign posting alternative routes to enable the general public to avoid fields with livestock, without unreasonably interfering with responsible access. The National Farmers Union has distributed a Public Access to Farmland brochure which provides a brief introduction for farmers, crofters and growers on their rights and responsibilities.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to warn members of the public about the dangers of walking in fields occupied by livestock.

Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7961 on 18 January 2008. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides guidance on the possible dangers to members of the public of walking in fields occupied by livestock. In addition Scottish Natural Heritage has developed a range of signage templates for use by land managers which relate to commonly encountered access issues. These were advertised in farming papers and magazines and distributed free of charge. The templates can be downloaded from the Scottish Outdoor Access website www.outdooraccess-scotland.com .

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Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to amend the Scottish Outdoor Access Code so that livestock farmers are given more rights to prevent members of the public accessing their land when the land is occupied by livestock.

Michael Russell: There are no plans currently to amend the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Scottish Natural Heritage is responsible for monitoring the operation of the code and for ensuring that all issues which require consideration will be considered as and when a formal review of the code takes place.

Teachers

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the First Minister’s statement to the Parliament on 15 November 2007 that there would be 20,000 new teachers in training by 2011 ( Official Report , c. 3475), how many training places the Executive will have created by 2011 in addition to those already in training or planned for by the previous Executive.

Maureen Watt: The figure of 20,000 mentioned by the First Minister refers to those entering training between 2007 and 2011. A comparable figure from the 2006 teacher workforce planning exercise was 16,760 students.

Teachers

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many new teachers will have qualified by 2011.

Maureen Watt: The 2007 teacher workforce planning exercise estimates that approximately 13,000 teachers will qualify between 2008 and 2011.

Tourism

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last had discussions with other EU regional legislatures on matters related to tourism.

Jim Mather: Tourism is not an EU competence. However, officials keep in touch with developments affecting tourism across Europe, including on the subject of funding for tourism projects involving other member states. The EU organises an annual conference on tourism issues, and officials have in the past attended these when the agenda has promised to be of relevance to tourism issues in Scotland, using them as an opportunity to speak to representatives of other regional legislatures. In addition, delegations of ministers and officials with an interest in tourism from legislatures such as Catalonia visit Scotland from time to time, and these visits are opportunities for further exchanges of views.

Youth Crime

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to a request from the Prince’s Trust to maintain ring fencing of the Youth Crime Prevention Fund for two to three years.

Fergus Ewing: The money previously distributed through the Youth Crime Prevention Fund to the Third Sector will be included in the local government finance settlement in future years.

  The concordat agreed between central and local government sets out the overall resource available to local government, from which resources can be drawn to meet local need and priorities.

  Officials have written to local authorities informing them of the blocks of funding that are currently allocated by central government directly to service providers, including to the third sector, and that will be rolled up into the local government settlement from 2008.

Correction

The reply to question S3W-7699 which was originally answered on 20 December 2007, has been corrected: see page 2059 or http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-08/wa0116.htm.